How Does a Gas Stove Work?

Gas stoves are used in many places for all styles of cooking. There are two different types of gas stoves and they cook the same way that virtually all other types of stoves cook except that they utilize gas for the heat. They also require an exhaust system for unused gas during the cooking process.

• Supply the stove with gas is the first step. This can be done with a gas line running to the house or via a storage tank. Normally the gas use is liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). If it is supplied to the home it already is pressurized. When the supply is a tank it must be under pressure to deliver the gas.


• Connect the supply line to the stove and make certain all connections are secure and not leaking. Once this has been done you are ready to ignite the stove.


• Ignite the gas by opening one of the burners or the oven. Normally this is done by turning a knob that will allow the gas supply to mix with air at that particular burner or the burners that are in the oven. The next step is to ignite (or light) the gas flow coming out.


• Use whatever device the stove has for ignition. The most common method is the burner dial in later models, which is an electric spark igniter. These are the ones that ‘click’ when you turn the knob to the desired hear range setting. The older models have a pilot light that always remains lit.


• Get more even heating in your cooking and your results will be more guaranteed. Many chefs prefer cooking with gas. It is easier to obtain the same results every time.